Posted by Unknown
Posted on 16:06
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Latin Name: Columba livia (‘dove’ or ‘bird of leaden or blue-grey colour’).
Common Names: Pigeon, dove, blue rock pigeon, rock dove, wild rock pigeon, rock pigeon, feral pigeon.
Derivation: The word ‘pigeon’ is derived from the Latin word ‘pipio’, meaning ‘young cheeping bird’. The word ‘dove’ is of Norse origin and first appeared in the 14th century as ‘dova’ or ‘douve’.
Bird Order: Columbiformes
Family: Columbidae (includes 315 different species)
Subspecies: C. l. livia, C. l. atlantis, C. l. canariensis, C. l. gymnocyclus, C. l. targia, C. l. nigricans, C. l. dakhlae, C. l. schimperi, C. l. intermedia, C. l. palaestinae, C. l. gaddi, C. l. neglecta
Varieties: 350 recorded varieties.
Most Common: Feral Pigeon - 10-15 million in Europe.
Origin: Europe, North Africa and Asia.
Habitat: The wild pigeon is found in coastal areas and the feral pigeon is found almost exclusively in areas of human habitation.
Distribution: Worldwide except Sahara Desert, Antarctica and the high Arctic. European population estimated at between 17 and 28 million birds.
Description (adult of the nominate subspecies of the rock pigeon):
- 32-37 cm long
- 64-72 cm wingspan
- Dark bluish-grey head, neck and chest with glossy greenish and reddish-purple iridescence around the neck and wing feathers
- Orange or red iris with pale inner ring (adult) or brown or greyish brown (juveniles)
- Black bill with off-white cere
- Red feet and legs
- Distinctive twin black wing bars
- White lower back feathers
About Pigeons,
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Posted by Unknown
Posted on 13:33
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Some folks consider them an endearing part of urban life, others see them as an aggravation, but everyone recognizes this familiar wild neighbor.
Pigeons may have been the first bird species to be domesticated, possibly as early as 6,500 years ago. The Egyptians used pigeons to carry the news of the coronation of Ramses III—more than 3,000 years before the United States was founded. Like so many Americans, the rock dove, as the species also is known, is a European immigrant: pigeons were introduced to North America by early European settlers.
You'll find pigeons in almost any city, town, or suburb on the continent. Their diet consists primarily of grains and seeds, along with insects and some greens. But pigeons aren’t terribly picky, and they’ll happily accept human food scraps and leftovers when available. From a pigeon’s point of view, city living can’t be beat. Food and water are readily available. Predators are few and far between. Plus, there’s plenty of free housing - pigeons like to live in large groups on window ledges, rooftops, bridges, and warehouses as these offer room for whole flocks to rest or take shelter in close proximity.
Most birds quench their thirst by dipping their bills and then tipping their heads so water runs down their throats. Pigeons drink by sucking water into their bills.
Pigeons can reach flight speeds of 15 to 60 miles per hour!
About Pigeons,
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